Key holder



Oct. 19, 1965 s. LIND 3,212,546

KEY HOLDER Filed Oct. 14, 1963 Fig. J

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United States Patent 3,212,546 KEY HOLDER Stanley L. Lind, 2615 N. 51st St., Kansas City, Kans. Filed Oct. 14, 1963, Ser. No. 315,775 2 Claims. (Cl. 150-40) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in key holders, and has particular reference to key holders of the magnetic type.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of a key holder comprising a generally planar sheet or card of a size to be carried conveniently in the pocket, billfold, wallet or purse, and which is magnetized to hold a plurality of keys against one or both faces thereof. Thus the key holder is extremely flat and thin and avoids the objectionability of volume and bulk which is common to so many types of key holders. The keys must of course be capable of being attracted and retained by a magnet, but many keys are presently being manufactured of such material, and those which are not, being formed for example of non-magnetic metals such as brass or aluminum, may be easily adapted for use with the present holder. Also, the sheet or card is flexible, in order to avoid objectionable stiffening of a billfold, purse or the like in which it may be inserted, and is provided with shallow, key-shaped depressions each adapted to retain one key therein. This prevents keys from being brushed or wiped off of the sheet, so that the holder may be carried loose in a pocket and still retain its keys securely.

Other objects are simplicity and economy of construction, and efliciency and dependability of operation.

With these objects in view, as well as other objects which will appear in the course of the specification, reference will be had to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is .a face view of a key holder embodying the present invention, with a plurality of keys operatively retained therein,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line IIII of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to FIG. 2, showing a modified construction,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the head of a key, similar to those shown in FIG. 2, illustrating one method of adapting a non-magnetic key for use in the holder,

FIG. 5 is a face view of the head portion of a key, showing another means for adapting a non-magnetic key for use with the holder, and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line VIVI of FIG. 5.

Like reference numerals apply to similar parts throughout the several views, and the numeral 2 applies generally to the holder forming the subject matter of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it comprises a laminated structure consisting of two coextensive sheets 4 and 6 of flexibly resilient material such as plastic, with a layer 8 of spaced granules of iron or the like disposed between said sheets. The sheets 4 and 6 are thoroughly bonded together, in the spaces between the granules, by the application of heat and pressure thereto. The granules are then permanently magnetized, for example, by passing the composite sheet through a strong magnetic field.

A plurality of generally key-shaped depressions 10, 12 and 14 are formed in the outer face of sheet 4, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and each depression is adapted to contain a key 16 laid flat therein as shown. The number of depressions which can be formed, and hence the number of keys the holder can carry, is of course limited by the size of the keys to be carried, and by the area of the sheet 2. It is preferred that the depressions be of such size, and of a sufficiently generalized shape, to be adapted to carry nearly any key in the usual range of sizes, and of any ordinary style or shape. Also, it is preferred that sheet 2 be of ordinary billfold shape and area, so as to be insertable into a billfold, wallet, purse or pocket. The depressions are preferably of a depth at least as great as, or slightly greater, than the thickness of the keys. It would of course be possible to form depressions in both faces of sheet 2, so as to double the number of keys which could be carried. However, this would thicken the holder to an extent which would be objectionable in most instances, and in any event is a variation which is considered to be within the scope of the invention as shown and described.

It will of course be apparent that to be secured in depressions 10, 12 and 14 by the magnetized granules 8, the keys must be capable of being attracted and retained by magnets. Many keys presently manufactured contain sufficient iron for this purpose. However, keys are also manufactured of brass, aluminum, and other non-magnetic materials, and such keys must be specially adapted for use in the present holder. FIG. 4 shows one such adaptation, wherein a thin plating, wash or other coating of ferrous metal is applied over the key. Such coating may be confined to the head of the key if it would thicken the operative or shank portion of the key to the point of rendering it inoperable. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate another adaptation for non-magnetic keys, in which a hole 20 is formed in the head of a key and filled with a rigidly atfixed plug 22 of ferrous metal. Also, a thin plate of steel could be glued, soldered or otherwise rigidly affixed to the head portion of a nonmagnetic key.

The flexibility of sheet 2 allows it to flex to a considerable degree with no danger of dislodging the keys, so that the holder may be carried in the pocket without bulging or showing through the clothing, and also permits the sheet to be carried in a billfold, wallet, purse or the like without objectionably stiffening the same. The depressions 10, 12 and 14 keep the keys positively separated, so there can be no rattling or other noise, and also prevent the keys from being slid or wiped off of the holder by forces parallel to the plane of sheet 2. Keys could relatively easily be dislodged from the holder in this manner if it were not for the depressions, even with very strong magnetic attraction. In the pres ent holder, a key can be removed, in a practical sense, only by inserting a fingernail or the like into a depres sion, engaging it under the edge of a key, and prying outwardly. It is extremely unlikely that any such function could occur accidently, even if the holder is carried loose in the users pocket.

FIG. 3 shows a slight modification of structure in which the sheet 2, rather than being laminated of two sheets with iron granules therebetween, as in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises a single sheet of moldable plastic with granules 24 of iron or the like dispersed evenly throughout the entire volume thereof. This form, while somewhat more expensive and difiicult to produce, is identical in all functional aspects to the form shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

While I have shown and described certain specific embodiments of my invention, it will be readily apparent that other changes and modifications of structure and operation could be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a key capable of being attracted and retained by a magnet, and a holder for said key con- 3 4 sisting of a sheet of flexible magnetic material having a to receive a key therein and having a depth at least generally key-shaped depression formed in a face thereof, as great as the thickness of said key.

said depression having a depth at least as great as the thickness of Said key. References Cited by the Examiner 2. A key holder for keys capable of being attracted 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS and retained by a magnet, said key holder comprising: 2,461,201 2/49 Ellis.

a. a composite sheet of flexible material consisting 2, 52,699 5/51 Warfield ISO-40 of two sheets of flexible material, 49 3/52 Diefenbach. b. a layer of spaced magnetic granules disposed be- 310071568 11/61 Kurlandtween said two sheets, said two sheets being bonded 10 FOREIGN PATENTS firmly together in the spaces between said granules, 345,526 8/60 Great Britain said composite sheet having a plurality of generally key-shaped depressions formed in an external sur- JOSEPH R-LECLAIRPrlmarY Examine"- face thereof, each of said depressions being adapted 15 FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION, A KEY CAPABLE OF BEING ATTRACTED AND RETAINED BY A MAGNET, AND A HOLDER FOR SAID KEY CONSISTING OF A SHEET OF FLEXIBLE MAGNETIC MATERIAL HAVING A GENERALLY KEY-SHAPED DEPRESSION FORMED IN A FACE THEREOF, SAID DEPRESION HVING A DEPTH AT LEAST AS GREAT AS THE THICKNESS OF SAID KEY. 